'Much Ado About Nothing' at Pomperaug HS - A Review

Southbury, CT - The Pomperaug Theatre Company and Music Department are proudly presenting a fully staged production of Shakespeare’s classic comedy “Much Ado About Nothing” this weekend outside on their Southbury campus.

An impressive number of students worked together with their director Madge O’Toole to make this production a reality. Twenty students appear on the outdoor stage, 18 musicians are part of the pit orchestra, and several more worked behind the scenes to construct and paint the set and move the scenery between scenes.

Kudos to every member of this large cast for buying into everything about this challenging text and stagecraft, all while wearing masks throughout. They worked hard in their period costumes and, at the preview performance I attended, in the very hot sun, with an often strong breeze. They had to act through their eyes, dance without touching and remember all of those challenging lines.

“And when I send for you, come hither masked.”

Ben Dressel easily brought Benedick to life and brought out every bit of his character’s humor with an easy charm. He also had wonderful chemistry with Beatrice, played to perfection by Kylie Healey. Ms. Healey brought a healthy dose of energy to her character and lit up the stage while she was on it.

Jason Winter was memorable in the role of Claudio and sang beautifully at the grave of his love.

Robert Lee wore impressive medals on his uniform in the role of Don Pedro and Amelia Rosen did very well as the lovely Hero. Isabella Ruiz took on the role of Lady Verges. Lauren SanFanAndre played Don Pedro’s sibling Lady Joan.

Ramyaka Annamghotla played Balthasar, as well as a messenger and sang beautifully as one of three madrigal singers. Ciaran Flanagan portrayed the Friar, Aisling Gowen was Margaret and Alex Roper was The Sexton.

Kate Goncalves superbly portrayed Dogberry and was a bundle of energy throughout the performance, as well as during the pre show. Isabella Ruiz was right there with her in the role of Lady Verges.Maddie Parrella was Ursula and Melanie Redlin was Bip.

Jimmy Hunter played Leonato of Messina, Italy, Bella Husk was Seacole, Aidan Kelly was Antonio, Kyler Kumi was Borachio, Makenna Mowrey was Hugh, and Kalman Zold was Conrade.

Kat Ferguson-Smith was the busy stage manager and Bella Husk the assistant director. The choreography by Kate Goncalves and Jimmy Hunter was charming and period appropriate. I loved the slightly toned-town costumes, of which Sara Goncalves was the costume mistress.

The microphones beneath the masks worked surprisingly well and we missed very few lines. Abigail Nielsen was the tech crew with Emma Pascone and Ally Stratton as technology directors.

It was a pleasure to hear the student musicians performing outdoors under the direction of Linda Hughes. The strings of many violins, violas, cellos and the notes of the flutes made very beautiful music.

Congratulations to the students in charge of the making of the props, including an ancient scroll, a large tombstone “In Memoria della nostra Amato,” and floral-decorated sticks. Kayleigh Ecsedy served as props mistress. The scenery brought us to sunny Italy, and the bright sun at the preview drenched it beautifully.

Performances of “Much Ado About Nothing” are scheduled for Wednesday, June 9 at 6:00 pm; Thursday, June 10 at 6:00 pm; and Friday, June 11 at 3:30 pm. The performance will be held OUTDOORS at Pomperaug High School 234 Judd Road, Southbury CT. Please bring blankets to sit on the field. Lawn chairs will be allowed for handicapped individuals.

Masks are required upon entrance and social distancing will be enforced. Tickets are priced at $10 for students, senior citizens, and Region 15 staff and $15 dollars for adults. Ticket reservations and other questions can be directed to pomptheatrecompany@gmail.com.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

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